2006-07-10 17:46:43 · 5 answers · asked by Tonky 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
People used to draw straws to be selected for something. This means they used blades of grass, straw or hay. All but one would be the same length, the odd one would be short. The straws would be gathered in someone's hand with all straws sticking out the top, to hide which was the shorter one. People take turns choosing a straw and the one who chose the short one was the one selected for whatever they were trying to do.
2006-07-10 17:53:56 · answer #1 · answered by crane2watch 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Short Straw
2016-10-22 00:32:18 · answer #2 · answered by mcvey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In this age of technology, you can use applications to draw straws.
Try this one, for example.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xjlwpq1QMwM
2014-04-21 16:28:25 · answer #3 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When deciding who will do a difficult task, someone holds several straws of various lengths. The person who picks or "draws" the shortest straw would then have to perform the challenging task.
2006-07-10 17:51:53 · answer #4 · answered by Bryan D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In an old English case (Dudley vs. Regina) 3 sailors in a lifeboat drew straws to decide whom to eat.
2006-07-11 08:23:10 · answer #5 · answered by bigtaxlawyer 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋